A new report from EnigmaSoft -- makers of the SpyHunter anti-malware product -- reveals the US cities with the highest rates of malware infection. Systems in Atlanta, Orlando, and Denver are most likely to be infected, with Louisville, Witchita, and Anchorage has the lowest infection rates. "It's hard to say exactly why one city or state has a higher rate of infection than others," says EnigmaSoft spokesperson Ryan Gerding. "There's a wide variety at the top of the list. Larger cities, smaller cities, and cities in every geographic area. The same is true for the least infected areas. New York and San Francisco ranked near the very bottom of the list." Infections are listed by state too, with Colorado ranked highest and Alabama lowest. The findings also look at the days of the week when malware is most likely to hit. Wednesday comes out as the most dangerous day, with Saturdays and Sundays the least, perhaps showing that even cybercriminals like to take the weekends off. Infections detected range from what EnigmaSoft identifies as Potentially Unwanted Programs or 'nuisanceware', which slow down computers and change some settings, all the way to ransomware, which threatens to delete valuable files unless the victim pays a ransom. "No matter what city or state you are in or what day of the week it is, it is important to always be vigilant about the threat of malware and other infections," Gerding adds. Find out how your US city ranks by visiting OUR FORUM.

Attackers are targeting DLink DSL modem routers in Brazil and exploiting them to change the DNS settings to a DNS server under the attacker's control. This then allows them to redirect users attempting to connect to their online banks to fake banking websites that steal the user's account information. According to research by Radware, the exploit being used by the attackers allows them to perform remote unauthenticated changes to DNS settings on certain DLink DSL modems/routers. This allows them to easily scan for and script the changing of large amounts of vulnerable routers so that their DNS settings point to a DNS server under the attacker's control. When users visit the fake websites, they will look almost identical to the original banking site. At the fake site, though, they will be asked for the bank agency number, account number, eight-digit pin, mobile phone number, card pin, and a CABB number. This information is then collected by the attackers. Complete details can be found on OUR FORUM.

Microsoft has released a new Windows 10 Preview Build with version 18214 from the 19H1 branch for Skip Ahead Insiders. The latest build comes with one new feature “Your Phone App” apart from the usual list of bug fixes and performance improvements. Your Phone app is now available for Insiders who have opted for the Skip Ahead Ring with 19H1 builds. The Your Phone app was earlier available for testing for the Fast Rings Insiders and with today’s build, Microsoft has made the app available for more Insiders to test. With the Your Phone app users get access to their Android phones recent photos which can be viewed on their PCs along with the option to drag and drop the photo onto their PC. iPhone users have also received some love from Microsoft with the Your Phone app helping them to link the phone with their PC. iPhone users surfing the web on the phone will be able to send the webpage to their PC and continue surfing from where they left off. As is always expected with Insider build you also find a lot of fixes and improvements which are pushed out with new features. Below is the full changelog of what’s fixed and broken in the 19H1 build. Check out OUR FORUM for more.

Microsoft has patented yet another design for a dual-display device. The latest patent is about “multi-display systems” which could be a traditional desktop, notebook or tablet computers, hand-held personal digital assistants (PDAs). It appears that the patent has nothing to do with the long-rumored Andromeda dual-screen device as there’s no mention of the hinge in the patent application. First discovered by us, the patent titled “MULTI-DISPLAY SYSTEM” was published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on August 9, 2018, and it was filed by Microsoft in February 2017. The patent basically explains the techniques that would correct misalignment issues in a multi-display system by identifying a misalignment between a plurality of displays in the multi-display device. “As computer systems have increased in power and capacity that allow for multiple applications to run concurrently, it has become commonplace for computer systems to include more than one display device or monitor. Systems with multiple displays (or “multi-display systems”), however, are not limited to traditional desktop systems. Instead, multi-display systems can be implemented in a variety of systems, including notebook or tablet computers, hand-held personal digital assistants (PDAs), multiscreen television systems, etc. Even further, many multi-display systems are implemented without being connected to a computer system,” Microsoft writes in the background section of the patent. More on this patent can be found on OUR FORUM.

Microsoft today announced a partnership with Agile Networks to bring high-speed internet access to 110,000 currently unserved people in rural areas in Ohio. Microsoft will make use of Agile’s telecommunications infrastructure throughout the state including TV white spaces, to provide broadband internet for the next four years. This high-speed internet will enable many critical functions in medical clinics and rural hospitals, schools, oil and gas wells, agriculture operations, and households. “In today’s digital economy, broadband access has become a necessity across industries including healthcare, agriculture, business, and education,” said Shelley McKinley, Microsoft’s head of Technology and Corporate Responsibility. “Our partnership with Agile will help deliver broadband internet access to rural communities across Ohio so that they can take advantage of today’s and tomorrow’s opportunities and the latest cloud technologies.” “People across the state, no matter where they choose to live, work and send their children to school, should have the same access to strong, reliable broadband service,” said Kyle Quillen, Agile Networks Founder, and CEO. Follow this trend on OUR FORUM.